CGS Camaro in the works for SEMA debut

CGS Motorsports is known for being one of the leading manufacturers of high performance exhaust systems. It is also know for bringing some high grade vehicles to SEMA in the past, like the FlatBlack Mustang. This year will continue that tradition, as CGS is preparing a new Camaro to bring to this year's SEMA.

The 2011 Camaro will get new paint, a ZR1 type hood, and a body kit on the outside. Inside there will be custom leather courtesy of Pecca Leather. Performance will be enhanced with a CGS cat-back exhaust (duh), and a new twin screw Whipple Supercharger. Power should be in the 500hp range. Be sure and keep up with the build progress at www.cgsmotorsports.com and check out this year's SEMA coverage for the finished product.

Press Release

CGS Motorsports is one of the leading manufacturers of High Performance Cat Back Exhaust Systems and Air Intake Systems for late model cars, trucks, & SUVs.

Besides being one of the leading manufacturers of Performance Products, CGS has also become one of the leading creators of many SEMA Show vehicles over the years and CGS has built several vehicles for the Big 3.

Once again, CGS is creating another SEMA Show vehicle for GM, which will be showcased at the 2010 SEMA Show. They will be customizing a new '11 Chevy Camaro.

This new GM muscle car will feature custom paint, the Camaro will feature a ZR1 influenced hood, and body kit by ACS. The CGS team is also designing and building handmade chrome moldings. Custom leather from Pecca Leather, of course one of CGS's Cat-Back Exhaust Systems, and Whipple Ind. new Camaro twin screw supercharger producing close to 500hp.

As illustrated in the rendering, 22" wheels up front a set of 24"x15" rear wheels by Genuine Boyds, Pirelli's new 405/25/24" rear tires, the rear wheels and tires will be stuffed under the back without any type fender fairing. All the rear suspension will be replaced with Chris Alston's Fab 9 rear end with a latter bar and coil over suspension.

So be sure to check out the completed vehicle at this year SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV. www.cgsmotorsports.com

Video: Lingenfelter Camaro uses it's 855 horsepower to run 10.36 second quarter

At this year's largest gathering of new generation Camaros, Camaro5 fest, there were many sights to be seen. One such sight was a particular high powered Camaro brought out by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering for some drag racing.

The Camaro they brought pumps out an impressive 855 horsepower thanks to a supercharger, upgraded cam, ported heads, forged pistons, and some other goodies hooked up to a six speed manual transmission.

The Lingenfelter Camaro posted a nice 10.36 second best quarter mile run at a stout 136.5 mph. In the video above, the car runs a 10.41 @ 139.9 mph.

Camaro5 event draws largest gathering of new Camaros yet

If you're like most people, you have probrably seen a couple of new Camaros around. Sure, we've seen one here and there, but not exactly what one would consider a group. If you were in Valdosta, GA last weekend you would have seen more than just a few.

Camaro5 sponsored the get-together, which brought out 1,000 fans and 500 of the cars. Chevrolet even made an appearance, bringing along folks instrumental in bringing the car back to life - Al Oppenheiser, Peter Kosak, John Fitzpatrick and Cheryl Pilcher.

The event featured many cool events and features. A 2011 Camaro VIN #002 showed up, there was a three mile long parade through town, drag racing, autocross, and a car show at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Press Release

Chevrolet Attends Camaro5Fest, the largest-ever gathering of 2010 Camaro owners
2010-04-20

More than 500 2010 Camaros descended on Valdosta, Ga. for the first Camaro5Fest. The event, hosted by Camaro5.com, is believed to have been the largest-ever gathering of fifth-generation Camaro owners. More than 1,000 people attended the event, driving their 2010 Camaros from across the U.S. and Canada to Valdosta on Friday, April 16.

Several members of the Camaro team attended, including Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser, Vehicle Line Director Peter Kosak, Camaro Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick, and Camaro Product Manager Cheryl Pilcher. Team Camaro drove from Detroit to Georgia in two Camaro Transformers Special Editions, two Camaro Synergy Special Editions, a development Camaro, and VIN 002 of a 2011 Camaro.

Camaro5Fest kicked off with a cruise through the streets of Valdosta, led by Oppenheiser. Residents lined the streets, cheering as a line of Camaros more than three miles long passed by under police escort. The following day, Camaro fans traveled to South Georgia Motorsports Park for a car show, drag races and autocross competitions. The track events ended with Camaro owners getting the rare chance to drive their cars on the 1/2-mile oval track.

"It was an incredible opportunity to see the passion and enthusiasm owners have for the new Camaro," says Fitzpatrick. "This was such an exciting event that I would not be surprised to see more than 1,000 cars at next year's Camaro5Fest."

For more information, and additional photography, please go to Camaro5.com.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible leaked on Facebook

Thanks to the modern world of internet and social networking, one never knows when some good old leaked automotive information will show up, or where. Facebook has produced some great information in the past, and today it brings us a couple of official pictures of the forthcoming 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible.

A convertible is the final missing piece for the Camaro to be able to match it's competitor, the Mustang, model for model. The ragtop Camaro is slated to go into production at the Oshawa assembly plant in the first quarter of 2011.

GM builds 100,000th Chevrolet Camaro

As the pony car wars rage on seemingly unaffected by raising gas prices and the collapsing economy, the big 3 just keep on cranking them out. Chevrolet has now reached a milestone by producing the 100,000th "new" Camaro. The lucky 100,000 was reportedly an inferno orange SS.

Ever since June the Camaro has been outselling it's arch rival Mustang, but the 2011 model is set to debut with it's much improved powertrains. It will be interesting to see if the new developments will alter the pace of muscle car sales.

FireBreather movie car shows up at Detroit Autorama

Michigan-based film maker Exodus Pictures has a new movie coming out titled Jinn. The car was designed by, Ajmal Ahmad, who is also the writer and director of the sci-fi film. The one off car is based on the Chevrolet Camaro.

The FireBreather sports a new front fascia, hood, rear fascia, and wheels. The nose bears a strong resemblance to the many Pontiac Firebird concepts we have seen. Performance mods are nill, but the suspension has been upgraded with an Eibach Pro-Plus Performance handling package and Pirelli PZero Rosso tires.

If you want your own FireBreather, you're in luck. Exodus will be offering 50 examples of the car, individually numbered and priced at under $60,000. Orders can be placed at the FireBreather website, and are first come first served.

Video: Hennessey's HPE700 Camaro on the track

Hennessey has managed to shoehorn a ZR1's LS9 under the hood of a new Camaro, and tuned it to put out 705 horsepower. Not only did they add some serious power, they added some serious suspension parts to make it handle as well as it goes in a straight line.

Of course they wanted to make sure that it lives up to all that promise, so they set out to wring the car out at the track. Specifically, MSR Houston. Check out the video to hear all the sweet sounds of the LS9, and watch the car pull 1g on some turns.

SMS Supercars 620 Camaro

Steve Saleen is continuing his muscle car enhancing tradition with the SMS Mustang, 570 Challenger, and now this, the 620 Camaro. Based on the SS model, the 620 features many of the same visual enhancements that the 570 Challenger does, such as it's hood, wheels, and Alcantara and leather seats.

Power is increased thanks to an SMS supercharger that brings the LS3 V8 up to 575 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Just like the Challenger, there is an X model available that boosts engine output to 715 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. It also brings an upgraded suspension, brakes, rear, and wheels.

The production version of the Camaro is expected in the second quarter of 2010. Check out the full details in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE:

Corona, CA/Detroit, MI – (January 11, 2010) At the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Steve Saleen is launching the first official images of the 2010 SMS 620 Camaro, the third and latest of the ultra-high performance automobiles produced by Steve Saleen's company, SMS Supercars of Corona, CA.

Steve Saleen, President and CEO of SMS Supercars, explains "The SMS 620 Camaro will be the only Camaro authorized to benefit from my heritage and to incorporate innovations derived from my thirty plus years of racing and manufacturing experience. We are excited to add the SMS 620 Camaro to our line of SMS Signature Series cars, which includes the SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 460 Mustang."

The SMS 620 Camaro has a striking design that makes it stand out in the market. Chief Creative Officer of SMS, Phil Frank notes, "We have incorporated our well-known functional SMS Red Butterfly™ Dual Side Induction Hood as well as our race-proven aerodynamics in this third vehicle in our SMS Signature Series. The SMS 620 Camaro is a dramatic and iconic visual statement that very clearly bears the SMS design DNA."

The bespoke interior includes high performance gauges and all-new Alcantara and leather SMS performance seats that feature the patented Signature Series chevron stripes. SMS offers its Tailor Made™ options for the exterior, interior and engine compartment; highlighted by a dozen show car quality custom SMS exterior colors. This newest creation by Steve Saleen's company is scheduled for a market launch in the second quarter of 2010.

These vehicles' power, performance and engineering befit their design. The SMS 620 Camaro will utilize a 6.2 liter V8 engine featuring 575 hp and 600 ft-lb of torque, while the even more powerful 6.2 liter V8 of the SMS 620X Camaro, with all new internals and CNC headwork, delivers a stunning 715 hp and 700 ft-lb. Both use the (patent pending) SMS 296™ Supercharger for their incredible horsepower and torque gains. Transmission options include a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual on both models.

The SMS 620 Camaro accelerates from 0 to 60 in under 4.3 seconds, while the SMS 620X Camaro manages the same in closer to 4.0. In addition to engine output, handling, road holding and braking improvements, the 620X will feature options such as Magneto-Rheological Semi-Active Dampers and Torvec Isotorque Differential and 21" rear wheels. Both will offer new SMS 16" 8-piston front and 14" 6-piston rear brakes deliver impressive stopping power to match rail like cornering and jaw-dropping acceleration.

1969 Danz Camaro SS "concept"

The 1969 Chevy Camaro is perhaps the most overdone and the most popular muscle car of all time. Every car show, every car magazine has featured more than it's fair share of '69 Camaros. As a matter of fact, there are a couple of companies out there that will supply you with everything you need to build a "new" one.

The 1969's popularity is obviously a big reason why Chevrolet used the car as it's inspiration for the 2010 Camaro. But what would happen if someone had the opposite idea, and wanted to model a '69 after the 2010?

The answer is this particular car, the 1969 Danz Camaro SS concept. While we have mixed feelings on this one, it is an interesting piece and the anser to an interesting question that maybe nobody asked.

SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter's 750 hp Camaro SS

There were certainly a ton of Camaro's at SEMA, so it's kind of easy to think that this one in particular could have been lost in the crowd. Lingenfelter's SS doesn't have too many body mods or flashy graphics, but it does have more power than (almost) every other Camaro in attendance.

Lingenfelter's SS uses a Magnuson supercharger, titanium connecting rods, forged JE pistons and titanium intake valves to help the big 7.0 V8 produce an outstanding 750 hp.

Be sure and check out thre press release for more details on this "beast" of show.

PRESS RELEASE:

DECATUR, Ind. - Always on the leading-edge of performance refinement, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) will once again show its muscle, debuting a 750 hp supercharged 2010 LS7 Camaro SS engine and performance package at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The vehicle will be displayed at the Hotchkis Sport Suspension booth 24442, Tuesday, Nov. 3 - Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

"Lingenfelter's heritage is in using precision engineering to bring even more capability to already high-performing vehicles," said Ken Lingenfelter, owner, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. "Our LS7 Camaro SS package follows that tradition. In addition to the road-shattering 750 hp engine, the performance and body enhancements deliver stunning refinements in both power and curb appeal for one of today's most sought-after sports cars."

With a focus on supercharging the Camaro's power plant, the Lingenfelter 427 CID/7.0L LS7 engine features an 8.8:1 compression ratio with forged JE pistons, production GM LS7 crankshaft and titanium connecting rods, and LS7 cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves. Other engine upgrades include:

* Magnuson/Eaton TVS2300 supercharger
* Custom-fabricated LS7 cylinder head supercharger base manifold
* Lingenfelter 14-rib rear drive system with tensioner pulley
* Lingenfelter/ATI Racing 10-rib front accessory drive
* Lingenfelter heavy duty power steering pump
* Lingenfelter low temperature thermostat
* Custom Lingenfelter coil covers

In addition to ensuring the LS7 Camaro SS delivers more raw power, the 2010 Lingenfelter package ups the ante on overall performance and also features: Lingenfelter 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly; Lingenfelter Camaro SS twin pump fuel system with Lingenfelter fuel pump controller; Lingenfelter double adjustable Sachs shocks; heavy duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts; Brembo brake calipers and rotors; Corsa stainless exhaust system; and Hotchkis suspension springs, anti-sway bars and subframe brace.

Body enhancements are also part of the Lingenfelter LS7 Camaro SS package. The 2010 SEMA display vehicle features a front fascia splitter, rocker extensions, carbon fiber grille, new hood with air extractors, rear deck lip and spoiler; rear fascia extension; and Lingenfelter Performance Engineering exhaust tips. Custom Lingenfelter 10-spoke design wheels with Pirelli 275/40ZR20 tires on the front and Pirelli 305/35ZR20 on the back are also part of the performance upgrades.

A number of driver comfort, performance and style improvements finish off the Lingenfelter package, including: Muth turn signal mirrors; Mito rear view mirror with video display; Lingenfelter/Grant custom steering wheel; and Lingenfelter-brand CNC machined pedal covers, floor mats and embroidered interior.

Coveted Lingenfelter badges are emblazoned on the 2010 LS7 Camaro SS exterior, indicating the vehicle's authenticity as a certified Lingenfelter creation.

The Lingenfelter 750 hp supercharged 2010 LS7 Camaro SS engine and performance package is one of the company's high performance GM engine and vehicle packages available for purchase and installation by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. View it and more at www.lingenfelter.com.

For more than 30 years, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has created a matchless heritage of bringing astounding new capabilities to the world's most sought-after sports cars. This legendary record of precision engineering continues today, as the highly skilled Lingenfelter production team continues to target design excellence in engine packages, superchargers and high-performance aftermarket components that refine power, speed and control. For more information, visit www.lingenfelter.com, contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering at 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733, or call 260.724.2552.

SEMA 2009: Camaros preview new options

GM was present at SEMA with several Camaros, some of which were there to preview upcoming options for the reborn muscle car. These cars, named Snergy, Chroma, Dusk and Graphics, each highlighted an element destined for production in the future.

Synergy shows off a new limited production color.

Chroma features lots of Bowtie accessories such as a body kit, graphics package, 21 inch wheels, blade spoiler, and a new grille.

The Dusk is a concept that GM says is "Inspired by the style of young, urban professionals... It is a very tailored look that is stylish and sophisticated, but with a distinct American accent." It has a number of features including BBS wheels, ground effects, Brembo brakes, and a tech package with Boston Acoustics stereo, WiFi, and an Iphone dock.

The Graphics Camaro sports a series of four looks that rotated through the GM booth each day of the show. attendees can vote for their favorite look, with the winner possibly going into production. You can vote for your favorite on the Camaro's Facebook page.

Press Release:

CAMARO EXTRAVAGANZA: CHEVROLET HITS THE SEMA SHOW WITH FIVE INSPIRED CONCEPTS OF THE RED-HOT SPORTS COUPE

LAS VEGAS - Chevrolet unveiled five dramatic Camaro concepts at the annual automotive aftermarket extravaganza known as the SEMA Convention, each representing a different vision of style, personalization and performance.

The Camaro concept vehicles include:
* A race-ready, twin-turbocharged V-6 concept built for talk show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno
* The Camaro Synergy concept that reveals a new, limited-production exterior color for spring 2010 and is accented with a number of production accessories and custom touches
* The Camaro Chroma, an SS-based concept with a number of future accessories
* The Camaro Dusk, which incorporates current and proposed accessories to create a contemporary tuner aesthetic
* Camaro Graphics, highlighting six proposed accessory graphics packages, with online voting by the public to gauge interest in potential future production of one or more of the packages.

"During the annual SEMA Convention, the popularity of a new car can be easily judged by the number of 'tuner' versions used by various companies to showcase their latest products; and the Camaro is our runaway hit this year, with countless examples displaying everything from mild styling accessories to wild performance modifications," said Brent Dewar, vice president, Global Chevrolet Brand. "We're thrilled by all the creative ideas, but especially proud of the cars we developed in-house. They represent modern interpretations of the Camaro that could easily be created by owners using the accessories offered by Chevrolet."

Many of the Camaro accessories can be ordered through Chevy dealers for installation at the time of the vehicle's purchase. This allows customers to personalize their cars to their exact wishes, with installation handled by the dealer and the cost rolled into the monthly payments.

In addition to the Camaro contingent, Chevrolet is also showing the Silverado ZR2 concept and an accessorized Corvette Grand Sport at SEMA. Here's a closer look at each of the concepts:

The Jay Leno Camaro
Powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L direct injected V-6 that is standard in Camaro LS and LT models, Leno's Camaro blends high performance with surprising efficiency in a racing-ready package. A pair of Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers blows through a custom air-to-air intercooler, force-feeding the engine about seven pounds of boost and lifting its horsepower level to about 425. That's about 40 percent greater than stock and in normal driving (when the turbochargers aren't making boost), there's virtually no penalty in fuel economy over the non-turbocharged 3.6L engine.

"Jay's Camaro offers style, performance and efficiency in a big way," said Dewar. "It delivers the power of a Camaro SS on demand, but with the fuel economy of a V-6."

Supporting upgrades for the turbo system include a larger-capacity Be-Kool radiator and a custom exhaust system, as well as a Centerforce-supplied clutch and pressure plate for the six-speed manual transmission. The tubing for the turbo system is powder-coated blue. The powertrain was designed to deliver consistent, controllable power for both the street and race track. In fact, road racing was a primary mission for the car during its development.

Additional vehicle also support its racing intent:
* Brembo six-piston brake package
* Pedders coil-over lowering kit
* New front fascia with custom fog lamps and integral brake cooling vents
* Air extractor-style hood

The exterior styling of Leno's car is the most radical of all the Camaro concepts at SEMA. The front fascia and hood are one-off creations, as are the unique upper and lower grilles and the ground effects package (including a rear diffuser). The heritage-inspired vent styling in front of the rear wheels has been replaced with functional brake cooling ducts.

Camaro Synergy
The Camaro Synergy concept previews a new Synergy Green production exterior color that will be offered on a special-edition Camaro in the first half of 2010. It also features a host of the latest Camaro accessories offered through Chevy dealers. They dramatically enhance the performance appearance of the car, demonstrating the personalization possibilities open to Camaro owners. Designers took liberties with the accessories, creating a totally unique package. Details include:
* 21-inch wheels, with a black center finish and polished rim
* Ground effects kit
* Cyber Grey Rally hood stripes
* High wing rear spoiler (future accessory)
* Performance air intake

The ground effects include pronounced rocker moldings, a rear diffuser-type styling piece and a front spoiler. They, along with the rear wing spoiler and rally stripes, are finished in the production Cyber Grey color, although the ground effects and spoiler can be painted to match the exterior of the car. The Rally stripes are adhesive-backed and are offered in grey, black or white. They're part of a broader range of heritage-inspired graphics that also include "hockey stick" stripes for the front fenders.

Chevy designers further enhanced the concept with a Pedders coil-over lowering kit and a set of large, Brembo brakes, as well as color-coordinating the Jet Black interior with Synergy Green accent stitching, piping and other accents. The lowering kit, brakes and interior accents are not among the accessories offered for the Camaro, but represent common and popular aftermarket upgrades. Chevrolet will gauge public interest in the features for possible inclusion in future accessory offerings.


Camaro Chroma
It looks like the custom creation of a tuner shop, but the Camaro Chroma simply demonstrates how carefully selected accessories available through Chevy dealers can create a look like nothing else. The Camaro Chroma is based on an SS/RS model in Summit White and uses a combination of current and not-yet-released components, including:
* A new silver stripe package
* 21-inch wheels (future product, with silver-painted spoke centers and a Victory Red stripe)
* "Blade" rear spoiler (future product)
* Summit White ground effects package
* Rear fender vent graphics
* Accessory front grille with body-color outer frame (future accessory)

"With its silver graphics on the Summit White paint, this car has a tailored, tone-on-tone appearance that is simultaneously racy and subdued," said Todd Parker, design manager, GM Accessory Studio. "It is a sophisticated-looking car that is easily duplicated by any customer, because all of the parts are available to build it."

From a performance standpoint, the Camaro Chroma's standard LS3 V-8 engine is equipped with current accessories, including a performance intake, shorty headers and performance exhaust system. There's also a Victory Red engine cover and a Hurst short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual transmission, as well as red-painted Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, the black-and-grey leather seats feature red accent stitching, as do the shifter boot, floor mats and door trim. Accessory inserts for the dashboard and door panels (in silver) are also included as available accessories.

"What's great about the Camaro Chroma is it speaks to the almost unlimited possibilities that the accessories offer," said Parker. "You can build your Camaro mild or wild, but build it your way."


Camaro Dusk
Inspired by the style of young, urban professionals, the Camaro Dusk concept rolls with a contemporary tuner aesthetic. It is understatedly aggressive looking, with a lowered ride height, new 21-inch wheels, the rear spoiler from an SS model and a custom ground effects package.

"This is a car with an international flair, bringing the Camaro to a place it hasn't traditionally been," said Parker. "It is a very tailored look that is stylish and sophisticated, but with a distinct American accent."

The ground effects package includes a racing-inspired front splitter, rocker extensions and a rear diffuser. They are prototype parts that may enter production as dealer-available accessories at a later date; the same goes for the 21-inch wheels from BBS. Many of the details, such as the taillamp and fog lamp bezels, match the finish of the wheels, lending a more premium look to the car.

The Camaro Dusk's body is painted Berlin Blue, while the ground effects are painted a contrasting color. Additional performance items include the exhaust system and Brembo brakes from a Camaro SS (with painted calipers). The interior is trimmed in stylish Jet Black and Sedona, with complementing features including footwell lighting, premium door sill plates and other details.

Today's young professionals expect advanced technology and premium audio options and this concept delivers with a crisp, well-tuned Boston Acoustics sound system, WiFi connectivity and a convenient cradle for an iPhone.

Camaro Graphics
Camaro designers dreamed up half a dozen proposals for accessory graphics packages, with the intent of soliciting feedback from Camaro enthusiasts for possible production. Chevrolet then launched the graphics campaign in mid-October, asking Camaro fans on Facebook to pick their favorite design.

The top four designs were produced and brought to the SEMA Convention, where a Silver Ice Metallic Camaro will wear each contender on a different day. At the conclusion of the convention, after thousands of enthusiasts see the graphics on the car in person and on Facebook, another round of voting will occur. The top vote-getter will be considered for future production.

"Camaro has thousands of fans on the various social media sites and this is a great way to demonstrate that Chevrolet is connected to our customers," said Dewar. "With so many great designs to choose from, we're sure the voting will be close, but whatever the outcome, the real winners will be the customers who personalize their Camaro with the winning graphics package."

The Camaro Graphics display vehicle will be located prominently in the GM display during the SEMA Convention, starting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. At the close of the convention each day, the graphics package will be changed.

All of the proposed graphics packages can be viewed and voted on by logging onto Camaro's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chevycamaro.

About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that go from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevy has nine models that get 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers three hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Next year, Chevrolet will soon offer the Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle scheduled for production in late 2010. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and provides the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Drop Top Customs bringing Camaro convertible to SEMA

The convertible version of the new Camaro has been an on again, off again affair that appears to be on again. While we wait on GM to decide what exactly it wants to do, Drop Top Customs will be showing off the car you see here, a Camaro SS convertible.

Drop Top is the same company that brought you their own Dodge Challenger convertible, and they've done basically the same thing to this Camaro. If you want one done yourself, they'll charge you a cool $18,000.

Camaro Z/28 to live after all, and with a supercharger?

The Camaro Z/28 has been on again and off again more than a hollywood romance. It seems that Chevrolet just can't let the dream die, especially with the Mustang Shelby GT500 running around as the superior pony car offering.

Inside Line is now reporting that GM Veep Ed Welburn says the Z/28 program is back in full effect and is headed for production. The car will sport a 6.2-liter LS-A from the Cadillac CTS-V that should be good for about 550 horsepower under it's hood bulge. Transmission choices will be either an automatic or a six speed manual.

If the rumor is true, the Z would hit dealer lots in roughly a year, just enough time to get all the kinks worked out.

Hurst Camaro to be at SEMA, then auctioned off for charity

SEMA is right around the corner, so it's about time we start hearing about some of the many sweet rides that will be shown off during the annual spectacle. One of the cars that we will see is this one off 2010 Hurst Camaro, which will be auctioned off on eBay beginning two weeks before the show.

The original car was generously donated by GM, and proceeds from the auction will go to benefit SEMA's Memorial Scholarship Fund that supports students who want to pursue careers in the aftermarket industry.

This unique Camaro will feature a silver and black paint scheme similar to the Hurst Challenger. The car also comes with a Hurst AIR-SPEED decklid spoiler, 20-inch polished forged wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires, Eibach suspension components, Magnaflow exhaust system and exterior Hurst badges.

PRESS RELEASE:

Irvine, Calif. (September 17, 2009) – SEMA, in cooperation with General Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced today that it will auction the first pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show. The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

The car will be auctioned on eBay Motors during the two weeks prior to the show.

"SEMA has a wonderful history of supporting our industry through scholarships made to deserving students," said Scooter Brothers, Chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee. "The SEMA Scholarship Committee is delighted that Hurst Performance, along with GM, is making this generous donation with this one-of-a-kind HURST/Camaro. We look forward to a very successful auction culminating at the SEMA Show this November."

"We are thrilled to be able to support the SEMA Scholarship Fund by contributing this very special Camaro," said Bob Kern, General Motors SEMA Relations Manager. "GM is very committed to growing this industry and we are certainly dedicated to be part of a program that helps enrich the lives of so many young, aspiring automotive scholars."

The very first HURST/Camaro is finished in Hurst's best bad-boy colors; brilliant black with honest-to-goodness real painted silver and red stripes. Hurst hardware could pass for art; especially the massive 20" polished forged aluminum HURST T-2 wheels, a Hurst Competition Plus short-throw shifter with a special red anodized HARD-DRIVE® billet pistol-grip shift handle and a Hurst AIR-SPEED® rear deck spoiler and real metal exterior badges. The Eibach suspension and Magnaflow stainless performance exhaust system deliver more attitude and performance to match the looks of this stellar performance machine. The interior has a personalized HURST/Camaro dash plaque and logo embroidered floor mats. Signatures from the Hurst Executive Team are under the trunk lid and documentation is provided to complete the car's provenance and guarantee that it is truly one-of-a-kind.

"This is hands-down the coolest Hurst Camaro ever...in fact, it's the first one!" said Hurst Performance CEO and 25 year SEMA Scholarship Committee member, Chris Phillips. "At Hurst Performance, we are committed making a difference with our cars and that includes helping young people get started in their careers in this industry. We are honored to join SEMA and GM in donating this car to this very worthy cause."

Joining Hurst Performance as Sponsors are many of the industry's most respected companies including Aria Design, BF Goodrich Tires, Magnaflow, K&N, Eibach, Acsco Products, Star West and CoverKing.

Watch for the unveiling of the new 2010 HURST/Camaro Performance Series at the 2009 SEMA Show in November.

Why you won't be seeing Chevrolet's Camaro in NASCAR

With the Ford Mustang set to make it's debut in NASCAR, many have been expecting the Camaro to follow suit and maintain the classic rivalry between the two pony cars. The reason you won't be seeing this is pretty simple: Chevy wants the Camaro to look like a Camaro, not a painted standard body.

GM's Mark Kent said that because of "the need to have templated bodies in that series, we felt that by forcing the Camaro into the Nationwide templates that we were compromising the body lines of an iconic car."

Hennessey Camaro HPE550

The Camaro Z28 may be iffy to ever see production considering the pickle that GM is in, don't count out the aftermarket to come to our rescue for high powered GT500 fighters.

Hennessey has come up with it's own version of the new Camaro, dubbed the HPE500. The car starts out as a standard SS model, which with the help of a Magnuson supercharger, achieves 562 hp and 557 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in a claimed 3.9 seconds and the 1/4 mile time is 11.9 at 119 mph.

The entire HPE550 package, which also includes high-flow fuel injectors, an aero package and aluminum wheels, will set you back $24,950 plus shipping uninstalled, or $31,000 installed, not including the cost of the donor car.

If 562 hp isn't enough for you, check out the HPE700 package featuring 705 hp, or the twin turbo package featuring either 850 or 1000 hp.

PRESS RELEASE

HENNESSEY PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION 562 HP HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGE FOR THE 2010 CAMARO

SEALY, TX – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), well known for their extreme performance sports cars and muscle cars, announces their Limited Edition 2010 HPE550 Camaro.

At the heart of the beast is a supercharger system added atop the LS3 V8 making 6 psi boost combined with a Corsa stainless steel exhaust system and custom engine management calibration from HPE. This upgrade system results in 562 bhp and 557 lb-ft torque. Rounding out the package, HPE adds a set of light weight 20 inch wheels, Hennessey's Cam-Aero ™ body upgrades include: Rear lip spoiler, carbon side rocker panels and front splitter, Hennessey graphics package and premium floor mats.

Hennessey plans to offer up to 500 units for the 2010 model year. Each HPE550 will come with its own unique serial number which will be displayed on a plaque located on the dash and under the hood. Other options available from HPE include: Larger brakes, suspension upgrades, upgraded interiors along with larger wheels and tires. HPE will also be offering more powerful engine upgrades including twin turbo systems producing up to 1000 hp.

HPE is also offering a modified version of the LS9 motor which currently powers the 638 bhp Corvette ZR1. The company has been testing their 705 bhp variant of the LS9 since February using retired GM engineer and racer, John Heinricy as their development engineer and test driver. Heinricy recently drove Hennessey's ZR1 at the Texas Mile to a record setting speed of 196.7 mph in the standing mile.

"The HPE550 upgrade package gives 2010 Camaro owners the kind of power they are going to want, especially when they roll up on a Shelby GT500 Mustang", said John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering. "We will also be offering an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories for the 2010 Camaro. From mild to wild, new Camaro owners will be able to order air induction systems, exhaust and header systems as well as supercharger systems, suspension kits and more.

HPE550 buyers will also receive a 1/2-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom. The HPE550 Camaro is available from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey Performance Engineering. Production will begin in May, 2009 and orders are now being taken.

Located just west of Houston Texas at the Lonestar Motorsports Park complex, HPE has been building American supercars for nearly two decades with its Veyron-beating Venom Vipers, Ford GT's and recently released Dodge Challengers.

Video: A whole lot of 2010 Camaros in Dallas

Last week, a parade of 2010 Camaros drove from Victory Park in Dallas to Sundance Square in Ft. Worth with a police motorcade. It was Chevrolet's first large-scale Camaro event, and hopefully soon we'll be seeing lots of these on the streets.

On a side note, two weeks ago while driving through Atlanta I saw a yellow SS. Not really sure how someone got their hands on it before the first one was officially sold, unless it was a dealer or pretty important inside guy.

More Chevrolet Camaro: Video of first Camaro built, convertible back on again?

On again, off again. Just a few days after it was reported that it may have died a premature death, the new Chevrolet Camaro convertible appears to be back on the track to production.

The drop top is once again scheduled for a 2011 release, one year after the hardtop pony car started rolling off Oshawa assembly line. Motor Trend reported back in November that the convertible Camaro was in trouble due to GM's cash crunch, and last week we learned from The Detroit Bureau that financial problems at a German supplier for the car's roof was threatening the model's timetable.

For its part, General Motors insists that the topless Camaro has always been scheduled for one year after the coupe began production, but now Motor Trend is now saying that the Camaro Convertible will probably not arrive until the first quarter of 2011 (likely as a 2012 model).

To get you back in the here and now, check out the video above of the very first Camaro rolling off the production line. The car is a black SS with red leather interior, and the proud new owner is none other than Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motor Sports.

14,000 orders have already been placed for the rebirth of Chevy's pony car thus far.